New Theatre announces its 2009-2010 season of classics and world premieres

New Theatre’s 2009-2010 season will continue to empower what its mission statement proposes: to produce vibrant theater that stimulates, provokes, challenges and entertains by cultivating "new voices - new works" and reinterpretating the classics. 

New Theatre kicks off its 2009-2010 season with one of the Bard’s comedies, The Taming of the Shrew (Aug. 27-Sept. 27). This classic battle-of-the-sexes romp is the tale of a shrewish woman and her strong-willed husband, both wreaking havoc on the conventions of courtship and marriage. 

The season moves from Shakespeare’s comedy to New Theatre’s first world premiere of the season, In Development by David Caudle (Oct. 8-Nov. 8), playwright of New Theatre’s World Premieres of The Sunken Living Room and Likeness. In this new comedy sex, death and dramaturgy take the stage at a conference for aspiring young playwrights and their legendary mentor; the previous year had dire consequences, and now lightning seems poised to strike twice 

In Development is followed by the National New Play Network world premiere of Quiara Alegría Hudes’ 26 Miles (Nov. 19-Dec. 20), playwright of New Theatre’s successful production of Elliot: A Soldier’s Fugue and book writer for the Broadway-acclaimed and Tony-nominated musical In the Heights. 

In 26 Miles a Cuban mother defies a custody ruling, kidnaps her estranged Jewish daughter, and the two drive west in search of the authentic American experience.

 Launching into 2010 brings the world premiere of local playwright and acclaimed novelist Sandra Riley’s The Hour of the Tiger (Jan. 14-Feb. 14, 2010), where an American woman immersed in Japan during the ceasefire is tangled between rescuing a geisha from her money-hungry master and conquering her own fears. The second classic of the season and final production of the 2009-2010 season are to be announced pending the securing of the production rights.

 Performance times: Thursdays – Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. Additional Sunday at 5:30 p.m. on select Sundays. Ticket & subscription information: Subscriptions: 6-play Flexible Season pass, $180; 5-play Flexible Season pass (excludes Shakespeare), $150. Single ticket prices: Thursdays & Sundays, $35. All others, $40. Shakespeare, all performances, $40; Student Rush (under 25 with ID), $15.

 New Theatre is one block from Village of Merrick Park at 4120 Laguna Street, Coral Gables, 33146. For tickets, call (305) 443-5909 or visit www.new-theatre.org.